Wenger dismisses Beckham speculation

Arsene Wenger has ruled out a move for David Beckham, insisting the former England captain is simply training with his Arsenal squad.

Beckham is currently without a club after leaving Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the Major League Soccer season.

The midfielder, who is being pursued by clubs around the globe, approached Wenger in a bid to gain fitness ahead of the next stage in his career. The Frenchman, though, believes Beckham will not choose to return to the Premier League on a full-time basis.

"He told me that he doesn't look at all to be in shape," Wenger said. "Beckham is super-ambitious. If, in his mind, he wanted to play in the Premier League he would not have gone on holiday.

"He would have prepared and come in and tried to impress me. He told me he has done nothing at all.

"[Joining Arsenal] is not on the agenda. He asked to come here to get fit. [It's] purely for fitness. There's no speculation about signing or anything. Maybe in June he has plans to play somewhere."

Wenger has also allowed former Gunners stars Thierry Henry and Sol Campbell to return to the club for training purposes, and says the presence of such players will boost his youthful squad.

"[Beckham is] fantastic," Wenger added. "The young English players look at him and take his advice on board. His positive advice.

"This guy has a fantastic quality, has done the maximum of his career that you can do. Why? Because he loves football. After training he stays and plays."